A veg based weightloss journey. Learning to 'eat to live' and not 'live to eat'.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Eating Whole Foods without Breaking the Bank

Healthful eating tips. It's not rocket science, but it helps a ton and saves the dough you need for more important things like.... Avalon's Thrift Shop $1 sale! And going on month long missionary trips in Italy. :-)

Eat more whole (unprocessed) foods.

Think outside of the box. Literally! If it's not in it's "whole" state then it's processed. I'm not saying you can never eat, but choose the whole (a baked potato with fixings) over the part or the processed (fries, mashed potatoes) and you will likely be getting something more nutrient dense and filling with less calories.

Get a small amount from the bulk foods section of Market District or Whole Foods or East End Food Co-op.

Also, if you don't like a food on the first try, try it again.

First impressions are not always right. Ask your best friend who you originally thought was dumb as rocks. Okay, don't. But you know what I mean.Try it in a different way and see if the preparation alters your perception.For example, raw zucchini made me gag the first time I tried it. Sautee some zucchini with onions and garlic and you will have to fight me for it.

Eat more (preferably organic) fruits and vegetables.

Sorry, but fruit cups don't count. Get apples, grapes, watermelon or whatever fruit is in season. Organic is awesome, but worry about the dirty dozen and save money buying local, conventional versions of the less polluted fruit/veg. Frozen fruit/veg of the organic persuasion are less pricey, but just as nutritionally dense.

Buy in bulk.

Think organic frozen veg from Costco, a big box of shelf stable items like brown rice from SAMS club and the bulk section of your favorite grocery store.